Kavre, December 14

At least 10 CPN-UML leaders and cadres were injured after members of the YCL, a sister wing of the ruling CPN-MC, attacked them in Gokule, Kavre yesterday night.

Of the injured, the condition of four is said to be critical. They were taken to Dhulikhel hospital for treatment today evening. The others are being treated at local health facilities.

According to locals, they feel terrorised after the attack. They saved themselves by hiding in the forest.

According to a report, YCL cadres attacked UML leader Khadga Bahadur Moktan at his home in Gokule, Kupintar at 9:00pm. Moktan is a former ward chairperson.

According to Moktan, berserk YCL cadres also attacked other UML cadres after him. “After they thrashed me to the point of death with sticks and other domestic weapons, they headed for the houses of other leaders and cadres and vandalised their property and thrashed them as well,” said Moktan, who is being treated at Dhulikhel Hospital.

“They kept battering me without responding to my question why I was being beaten,” lamented the victim, while another victim said he somehow escaped and had to spend the night in the forest to save himself from further attack.

Besides Khadga Bahadur, Singhbir Moktan, Dilamaya Moktan and Krishnamaya Moktan are among the victims injured in the attacks mounted by more than 30 YCL cadres, including Umesh Moktan, Tiger Moktan, Rajendra Ghalan and Gyan Bahadur Moktan of Gokule.

It is important to note that dozens of CPN-MC central and local level leaders had quit their party and joined the UML at a programme at Taldhunga, near Gokule about a week ago. It is said that yesterday’s attack was an act of vengeance of sorts over the defection of party men to the UML.

While UML leader Hom Chaulagain condemned the incident, CPN-MC district in-charge Dinanath Gautam said he was trying to learn about the incident. “We are finding out why our comrades launched such an attack on UML leaders and cadres,” he said, adding he would make public his remarks only after learning about the incident.

Police have launched a search for the attackers. The incident has got locals scared.